Exploiting Polarization: Designing More Effective Sunglasses

Each group needs:

• 1 pair of inexpensive, unpolarized sunglasses; such as 12 for $9 at Amazon
• paper and pencils
• 2 plastic Petri dishes, 5-10 cm in diameter size
• 1 6 x 6-inch polarizing filter per group, such for $10.50 each at Educational Innovations
• light sensor, such as the GoDirect^® Light and Color Sensor for $79 by Vernier; alternatively, share one sensor with the entire class
• computer/tablet/cell phone, Bluetooth and free Graphical Analysis 4 software, downloaded from https://www.vernier.com/products/software/graphical-analysis/; to use the Vernier light sensor
• hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
• scissors
• (optional) pieces of thick cardboard (or other material) to protect tabletops from hot glue
• Sunglasses Design Grading Rubric (PDF), one per student
• Project Reflection Handout (PDF), one per student

To share with the entire class:

• UV blocking film, such as a 36-in x 6.5-ft roll of UB blocking window film for $17 at Amazon
• assorted pipe cleaner chenille stems, such as 200 6-mm x 12-inch pipe cleaners for $8 at Amazon
• black plastic garbage bags
• 1 plastic protractor